THE RHINOCEROS. 335 



many opportunities of studying a specimen of this species, for one 

 which, appears to have grown into a very large animal of its kind, 

 was kept there in confinement, or rather in a state of domesti- 

 cation. It was taken while very young in the forests of the 

 province of Keddu, and was conveyed to the residency at Magellan 

 in the year 1815 or 1816. It was afterwards removed to the 

 capital of Surakarta, where it was confined in the large area or 

 square which bounds the entrance to the royal residence. " A deep 

 ditch," says the doctor, " about three feet wide, limited its range, 

 and for several years it never attempted to pass it. It was per- 

 fectly reconciled to its confinement, and never exhibited any symp- 

 toms of uneasiness or rage, although on its first arrival harassed 

 in various ways by a large proportion of the inhabitants of a 

 populous capital, whose curiosity induced them to inspect the 

 stranger of the forest. Branches of trees, shrubs, and various 

 twining plants were abundantly provided for its food ; of these, 

 the species of cissus, and the small twigs of a native fig-tree were 

 preferred. But plantains were the most favourite food, and the 

 abundant manner in which it was supplied with these by numerous 

 visitors tended greatly to make the animal mild and sociable. It 

 allowed itself to be examined and handled freely, and the more 

 daring of the visitors sometimes mounted on its back. It required 

 copious supplies of water, and when not taking food, or intention- 

 ally roused by the natives, it generally placed itself in the large 

 excavations which its movements soon caused, in the soft earth 

 that covered the allotted space. Having considerably increased 

 in size, the ditch of three feet in breath was insuflScient for con- 

 fining it, but, leaving the enclosure, it frequently passed to the 

 dwellings of the natives, destroying the plantations of fruit- 

 trees and culinary vegetables which always surround them. It 

 likewise terrified those natives that accidentally met with it, and 

 who were unacquainted with its appearance and habits. But it 

 showed no illnatured disposition, and readily allowed itself to be 

 driven back to the enclosure, like a buffalo. The excessive exca- 

 vations which it made by continually wallowing in the mire, and 

 the accumulation of putrefying vegetable matter, in process of 

 time became offensive at the entrance of the palace, and its 



